Senior Manager External Communications

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year. An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.

A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune. A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

This position works out of our Abbott Park, IL location or Willis Tower, Chicago location.

The Senior Manager, External Communications will play a pivotal role in helping formulate, execute and sustain an external communications strategy for Abbott that positions it as a leading global healthcare company. This position requires a strategic thinker and creative storyteller who has demonstrated the ability to work with top tier media globally and develop compelling storylines. This person must be an excellent writer with a deep understanding of the news business, media trends and navigating the evolving media landscape including the impact of AI.

This person must also have a portfolio of media placements driven by him/her that support company reputation across a number of attributes, including quality of management, business strategy and strength, innovation and leading brand. The right candidate will also contribute to the strategy and execution of content generation for a number of the company’s social channels and executive leaders.

• Position the company as a leading company globally through proactive media relations, social and external communications.
• Identify and create content across multiple channels to highlight Abbott’s leadership and products.
• Cultivate a deep understanding and strong relationship with media and influencers with a keen focus on consumer, trade and business media.
• Maintain and develop relationships with consumer, business and financial news editors and reporters through thoughtful, strategic engagement – especially related to company strength, strategy, innovation and brand.
• Enhance visibility of the company and protect company reputation.
• Prep Abbott leadership before interviews including contributing to key message development and positioning.
• On-site management of media interviews and events.
• A deep understanding and utilization of social media channels and engagement strategies.
• Manage a team of media relations specialists and spearhead the PITCH team, an internal team of Abbott media relations experts.

• Operates with principled leadership and sound business ethics, exercising the highest level of integrity.
• Has an entrepreneurial mindset combined with an ability to navigate in a large, complex organization.
• Takes a global view.
• Treats others with respect – listens and cares.